Support stand

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a knockdown support stand having a plurality of upright members adapted to interlockingly engage a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers. The ends of each crossmember is notched and yieldingly retained within an aperture in the upright member. The upright member is fabricated from pliable tubular material and is provided with a longitudinal slot to permit flexibility in the diametrical direction. The tubular member is molded to resiliently bear against the notched portion of the crossmember, much in the manner of a spring clip, and will thus firmly hold the crossmember in position. The tubular member can further be urged radially inward to facilitate entry or removal of the crossmember into or out of the aperture during assembly or disassembly of the support stand. An extension member is provided for attachment to one or more of the upright members in order to anchor the support stand to the surrounding surface. The notched portions of the crossmember and the apertures in the upright members are shown in several modified embodiments and furthermore the general configuration of the support stand as shown may be rectangular, circular, or triangular.

Unite? Lowery tates Patet [54] SUPPORT STAND [72] Inventor: Mae H. Lowery, Cherokee Apartments,

Oneonta, Ala. 35121 [22] Filed: June 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 47,281

[52] U.S.C1..t. ..21l/177,248/165,5/288 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 5/10 [58] Field ofSearch ..2l1/177,176,l48;5/288,296;

Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. At!0rneyPolachek & Saulsbury 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure relates to a knockdown support stand having a plurality of upright members adapted to interlockingly engage a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers. The ends of each crossmember is notched and yieldingly retained within an aperture in the upright member. The upright member is fabricated from pliable tubular material and is provided with a longitudinal slot to permit flexibility in the diametrical direction. The tubular member is molded to resiliently bear against the notched portion of the crossmember, much in the manner of a spring clip, and will thus firmly hold the crossmember in position. The tubular member can further be urged radially inward to facilitate entry or removal of the crossmember into or out of the aperture during assembly or disassembly of the support stand. An extension member is provided for attachment to one or more of the upright members in order to anchor the support stand to the surrounding surface. The notched portions of the crossmember and the apertures in the upright members are shown in several modified embodiments and furthermore the general configuration of the sup port stand as shown may be rectangular, circular, or triangular.

8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB H972 3.638.814 SHEET 10F 2 1x w; 'l'rm.

MAE H. LOWERY wwy SUPPORT STAND This invention relates to support stands, in particular to a knockdown support stand having a plurality of upright members which interlockingly engage a plurality of interconnecting cross members.

Conventional support stands are usually cumbersome devices not especially suited for use within confined areas and are furthermore difficult to disassemble and store when not in use. The prior art stands are frequently fabricated of aluminum stainless steel or other metallic substance which frequently contain burrs, sharp edges or other protruberances which can damage or otherwise injure delicate articles to be supported thereon such as plant life or sheer fabrics.

The device of this invention provides a knockdown support stand especially adapted for use with growing plants and in accordance therewith is provided with smooth surfaced members, preferably nonmetallic to thereby eliminate sharp edges or sun-heated member which may damage or otherwise injure the plant life. The stand is easily assembled and may be increased in size as the plant grows to maturity. During the offseason, the stand may be disassembled for storage within a minimum of space.

It should also be noted that the support stand is also adaptable for use as a clothes dryer, particularly for drying sheer or delicate fabrics, such as women's clothes because the smooth surfaced members will not snag or tear such articles. The support stand can also be easily disassembled when not in use and will fit within a suitcase so that it may be taken along on trips to provide a handy travel clothes dryer.

A further application of this invention is for the purposes of a towel rack or supply rack for the storage or dispensing of miscellaneous articles.

The support stand according to this invention utilizes a plurality of pliable smooth-surfaced tubular upright members, preferably made of thermoplastic and defining apertures therein for accommodatingly receiving a notched end of an interconnecting crossmember. The upright member is provided with a longitudinal slot to permit flexibility in the diametrical direction. The resiliently tubular upright member is molded so that it will bear against the notched portion of the crossmember, much in the manner ofa spring clip, to provide an interlocking engagement. The support stand can easily be knocked down or taken apart by urging the upright member radially inward to disengage the notched portion of the crossmember.

An important feature of this invention therefore is the locking arrangement utilizing the resilient characteristics of the longitudinally slotted upright member coacting with the notched portions of the crossmember. The application of a radially directed inward force, tending to close the slot or opening in the upright member will remove the resilient force acting on the notched portion and thereby facilitate the entry or removal ofthe end of the crossmember.

An additional feature of this invention encompasses an extension member which may be secured to one or more of the upright members to thereby anchor the support stand to the surrounding surface.

It is an object therefore of this invention to provide a support stand of the general character described herein which is particularly suitable for supporting plant life.

Specifically, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a knockdown support stand utilizing a plurality of upright members interlockingly engaging a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support stand wherein the upright members are longitudinally slotted and provided with apertures therein for resilient interlocking engagement with the ends of the crossmembers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a support stand wherein the ends of the crossmembers are provided with a notched portion for coaction with the apertured upright members.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a support stand including an extension member secured to one or more of the upright members for anchoring the support stand to the surrounding surface.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the various possible embodiments ofthe invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the knockdown support stand of this invention showing four upright members and a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers in a generally rectangular configuration and further including an extension member secured to one of the upright members for affixing the support stand to the surrounding surface.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged exploded perspective view showing a portion of a tubular upright member having registered apertures therethrough for accommodatingly receiving the notched portion at the end of the crossmember.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and shows the upright member and two notched portions of crossmembers engaged within the registered apertures in the upright member.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and shows an open end of the tubular upright member and a press fit cap positioned within the open end.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line S5 of FIG. 1 and shows the upright member having a longitudinal slot and being extended along its diametrical dimension to interlockingly engage the notched portion of the crossmember, the dashed lines showing in phantom section the position assumed by the upright member when a radially inward directed force is exerted thereon which position will facilitate the insertion or removal of the notched portion of the crossmember.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 1 and shows the bifurcated pin extending through the upright member and extension member.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and shows the upright member and extension member having a shoulder portion and section of reduced outside diameter to as to fit within the upright member, the bifurcated pin is shown passed through aligned apertures in the upright and extension member to thus secure same together.

FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of the support stand of this invention wherein three upright members are utilized and together with the interconnected crossmember conforms to a generally circular configuration.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 and shows the ends of two abutting crossmembers having notched portions interlockingly engaged by the upright member.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate embodiment wherein the apertures in the upright member conform to a keyhole configuration and the crossmember has notched end portions for interlocking engagement within the keyhole.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10 and shows the upright member engaging the notched portion of two crossmembers.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment wherein three upright members are employed and a plurality of interconnected crossmembers fonn a generally triangular-shaped support stand.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 20 denotes generally the support stand constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. The support stand 20 as shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of four vertical upright members 22 and interconnected by a plurality of horizontal crossmembers 24 thus conforming in plan view to a generally rectangular configuration. The upright members 22 as well as the crossmembers 24 are preferably fabricated from a smoothusurfaced resilient material preferably thermoplastic such as polypropylene, however the crossmembers 24 may also be fabricated from wood. The upright member 22 is provided with a continuous slot or opening 26 running longitudinally along the length of the upright member 22. A plurality of registered or aligned apertures 28 are provided within the upright member 22. The registered apertures 28 are positioned circumferentially around the upright member 22 and preferably are displaced alternately at 45 from either side of slot 26 so that alternate crossmembers 24 will be at 90 to each other. The upright member 22 is molded with the slot 26 performed therein, and in its natural unflexed state will assume a noncircular cross section such as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the diametrical dimension is extended radially outward. The crossmember 24 is provided at ends 29 thereof with a notched portion 30. The crossmember 24 including the notched portion 30 are adapted to be accommodatingly received within apertures 28 when the upright member 22 is urged radially inward to assume an almost circular configuration as shown in FIG. by the dashed lines and tending to close the slot or opening 26. When the urging force is removed the upright member 22 will assume its original state and resiliently engage the notched portion 30, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5. The resilient force of the pliable upright member 22 will thus securely lock the crossmember 24 in position. The application of the aforesaid force urging the upright member 22 radially inward will permit the crossmember 24 to be withdrawn through apertures 28 during disassemblyv A cap member 32 is press fit within the open end of upright member 22 to thus provide a neat appearance smooth-surfaced end (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, an extension member 34 may be affixed to one or more upright members 22 and will firmly secure or anchor the support stand by extending into the surrounding surface. The extension member 34 is provided with a shoulder portion 36 and section having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the upright member 22 thus permitting the extension member 34 to be secured within the upright member 22 as shown in FIG. 7. A pair of aligned openings 38 are provided through the upright member 22 and extension member 34 and a bifurcated pin 40 passed through aligned openings 38 will lock the extension member 34 to upright member 22.

In a typical arrangement, the upright member 22 when the slot 26 is fully closed, will have a diameter of approximately I% inch, and a length of approximately 60 inches. The lateral or length and width dimensions are both approximately 18 inches and the crossmember 24 is approximately three-eighths of an inch in diameterv The extension member 34 is approximately 36 inches in length and will have a diameter slightly smaller than the upright member 32, for example one-fourth inch in diameter. These dimensions could of course be altered or changed to suit the particular application for the support stand 20.

The FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a support stand 200 wherein three upright members 22a are positioned to accommodate crossmembers 24a each having a partial circular configuration such that the support stand will assume a generally circular configuration. The upright member 22a may be provided with an extension member 340 and a cap member 32a which are affixed thereto in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. The opposed abutting ends 29a of crossmembers 24a are provided with notched portions 30a which pass through registered apertures 28a of upright member 22a. The upright member 22a is also provided with a slot 26a for interlockingly engaging the notched portion 300 of abutting ends 290 of the crossmembers 24a. It should be noted that the abutting ends 29a of the crossmembers 24a are angled as shown in FIG. 9 such that when fully assembled the crossmembers 240 can be displaced radially inward to assume a circular configuration as shown in FIG. 8.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 and 1] wherein an upright member 2212 is provided with aligned apertures 28b which are keyhole shaped. The upright member 22b contains a longitudinal slot 26b and cap 32b similar to the upright member 22 shown'and described with reference to FIG. 1. However, for a more positive locking action between the upright member 22b and crossmember 2412, the crossmember 24b has been provided with four distinct notched portions 30b which are adapted to fit through registered apertures 28b and be forced downward into a keyway portion 44 of aperture 28b to thus further increase the locking action. The resilient locking action of the upright member 22b bearing against the notched portions 32b will thus be supplemented by the fact that the crossmember 24 has been firmly secured and seated within the keyway 44 of aperture 28b.

A still further embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 wherein support stand 20c has three upright members 220 and a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers 24c positioned in a generally triangular configuration. An extension member 340 has been affixed to one of the upright members 22c to securely anchor the support stand 20c to a fixed surface. The upright members 22c are provided with caps 32c as shown and described with reference to FIG. 1. A plurality of registered apertures 280 (not shown) are provided in the upright members 220 and the crossmembers 24c will be interlockingly engaged therewith in a manner as shown in the generally rectangular-shaped support stand 20 described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7.

The above-cited embodiments are intended as exemplary and while they have described the invention with specific im plementation thereof, other modifications and various changes may be made in the embodiment as so set forth and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It should therefore be understood that all material herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A knockdown support stand comprising a plurality of upright pliable tubular members defining registered apertures therein, a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers, means for releasably interlocking the crossmembers within said apertures, the crossmembers defining a notched portion at either end thereof where the notched portion includes two opposite opposing substantially upright walls defining a notch, and a longitudinal slot defined with the upright member, said slot providing for diametrical stability in the upright members, said upright member further being adapted to resiliently bear against the notched portion of the crossmember to interlockingly engage the crossmember within the aperture.

2. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim I, further including an extension member fixed to the upright member for anchoring the support stand to the surrounding surface.

3. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extension member and upright member each define registered openings, and further including a bifurcated pin positioned through said aligned openings for securing the extension member to the upright member.

4. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 3, further including a cap member adapted to be press fit within an open end of said tubular upright member.

5. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are four upright members and the interconnecting crossmembers defining the support stand conform to a generally rectangular configuration.

6. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are three upright members and the interconnecting crossmembers defining the support stand conform to a generally triangular configuration.

7. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are three upright members and the intercom necting crossmembers defining the support stand conform a generally circular configuration.

8. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apertures in the upright member define a keyway to securely seat the notched portion of the crossmember. 

1. A knockdown support stand comprising a plurality of upright pliable tubular members defining registered apertures therein, a plurality of interconnecting crossmembers, means for releasably interlocking the crossmembers within said apertures, the crossmembers defining a notched portion at either end thereof where the notched portion includes two opposite opposing substantially upright walls defining a notch, and a longitudinal slot defined with the upright member, said slot providing for diametrical stability in the upright members, said upright member further being adapted to resiliently bear against the notched portion of the crossmember to interlockingly engage the crossmember within the aperture.
 2. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 1, further including an extension member fixed to the upright member for anchoring the support stand to the surrounding surface.
 3. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extension member and upright member each define registered openings, and further including a bifurcated pin positioned through said aligned openings for securing the extension member to the upright member.
 4. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 3, further including a cap member adapted to be press fit within an open end of said tubular upright member.
 5. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are four upright members and the interconnecting crossmembers defining the support stand conform to a generally rectangular configuration.
 6. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are three upright members and the interconnecting crossmembers defining the support stand conform to a generally triangular configuration.
 7. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are three upright members and the interconnecting crossmembers defining the support stand conform a generally circular configuration.
 8. A knockdown support stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apertures in the upright member define a keyway to securely seat the notched portion of the crossmember. 